Smackdown Live has been blessed with having a brand exclusive Elimination Chamber PPV this year. That's big stuff because so far, Smackdown's PPVs have been slightly underwhelming. Mostly because Cena has been gone but also because the lower card matches have been pretty weak IMO, and to be honest, I think that still stands, but Elimination Chambers are some of my favorite matches in the WWE and tonight's will be so good that as long as the other matches are watchable, we are good.
Also, to anyone who said I couldn't predict big PPVs.. read my Royal Rumble preview and reevaluate your life. Bitch.
Kick-Off
Mojo Rawley vs. Curt Hawkins
Bruh, Curt Hawkins is a jobber and Mojo has been getting some type of push that involved him making the Royal Rumble but not Seth Rollins.. still salty. But this is a kick off match and the face typically wins to pump up the crowd and who is better for that job than Mojo? Give me Gronk's best friend all day.
Prediction: Mojo Rawley
Main Card
Apollo Crews & Kalisto vs. Dolph Ziggler -- Handicap Match
Dolph Ziggler loves talking himself into holes. Guy gets pissed about a lack of a push and then pisses off the guys in charge of giving him that push. This time, he threw it out there that he could beat Kalisto and Crews at the same time (after attacking them individually) and now he has his wish.
The thing about this, however, is an easy 2 on 1 win seems too practical. I think Crews or Kalisto will turn on the other and cost them the match, allowing Ziggler to build on this heel run.
Prediction: Dolph Ziggler
Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
Natalya has been a bitch lately and Nikki Bella needs to get her revenge for everything her Total Divas co star has done to her lately. Should be a good match but and easy win for Nikki, especially heading into her Wrestlemania retirement party.
Prediction: Nikki Bella
Tag Team Turmoil Match -- Smackdown Tag Team Championships
Alright, so we have American Alpha, The Usos, Breezango, The Vaudevillains, Rhyno & Slater, and The Ascension all crammed into the Chamber. Breezango, not a chance. Rhyno and Slater will never hold the belts again, The Vaudevillains are trash and everyone hates them, so that leaves us with three reasonable options. American Alpha could retain. They definitely deserve it. Or we could get a new Uso run. They've been out of the title scene for a while and haven't gotten a run as the tough heels they are now. But also, don't sleep on The Ascension. I swear they're on the rise. I killed it with my Rumble Predictions and can afford to take a risk with this one..
Prediction: The Ascension
Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James
The way I'm looking at this one is that you can't run that whole masked man angle to gas up James' return after a long ass break just to have her lose her first match back. This is a feud that could run on for a while and in order to give Mickie some credibility, give her the win. Don't be like Sting and have him come in to take pins from younger guys to put them over. Keep her around.
Prediction: Mickie James
Luke Harper vs. Randy Orton
This match could go one of two ways. Have Orton beat Harper to basically kill him off in the Wyatt family angle, or have Harper beat Orton to establish himself as someone who doesn't need the family. I think Erick Rowan could get involved tonight, but not in this match. I'll take the Royal Rumble winner in this one, but not confidently.
Prediction: Randy Orton
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Naomi -- Women's Championship
I admittedly haven't been following this feud very closely at all, but from everything I've read about it, the more I think that now isn't the time for Naomi to win the championship. With Nikki Bella out of the title picture, Becky Lynch and Mickie James tied up in a program, and Carmella dating James Ellsworth, I think this feud can stretch to Wrestlemania where Naomi can get a well deserved Mania moment.
Prediction: Alexa Bliss retains
John Cena (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Baron Corbin vs. The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose -- Elimination Chamber -- WWE Championship
Let's not beat around the bush here. We all know I picked Orton as my Rumble winner and there's only one reason for that to happen. Let's give Bray Wyatt a fucking belt and let him run with the title until Mania. Literally nobody deserves it more than that guy. But the chamber is also a great place to lock up some other Mania matches.
For example, let's see The Miz eliminate Cena to set up the Cena/Bella vs. Miz/Maryse tag team match at Mania.
Or maybe have Baron Corbin start feuding with Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental championship.
Just some ideas.
BUT my Besse's Be Bolder Prediction Brought to You by Butterfinger is that Erick Rowan will find his way into the newly designed Chamber and help brother Bray win the title.
I see it happening. You see it happening. I went like 7-1 at the Rumble. Let's ride.
Prediction: Bray Wyatt
Little Besse
